Last modified: 11 May 2000
TOPIC: Developing a Rapid Organ Recovery Program --
An Innovative Solution to the Organ Donation Crisis?
Tuesday, October 17, 1995
7:00 p.m.
Washington Hospital Center
Cancer Institute Auditorium
(Cancer Institute Entrance -- Auditorium on first floor)
110 Irving Street, NW, Washington, DC
TRIO, The Nation's Capital Area Chapter
P. O. Box 7633
Arlington, VA 22207
The conference opened Thursday morning with a welcome and introduction by co-chairs Scharleen Colant, Darlene Handy, and Kenna Sullivan. They were followed by greetings from a representative of the Mayor's office. The balance of the morning was spent outlining the broad themes of the Conference -- challenges to and the goals of the transplant community, the current state of transplantation, and the evolving role of TRIO. These themes were addressed by TRIO President Bob Casey, Dr. Ken Moritsugu (Assistant Surgeon General and a member of the Nation's Capital Area Chapter), and Executive Director Lisa Kory. In her talk, Lisa noted that TRIO now has 32 chapters, another 20 in various stages of development, and about 3000 individual members.
Thursday afternoon commenced with a discussion, moderated by Nat Semple of Washington, on the effects of recent and proposed legislation. Representatives from the offices of Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Senator (and Doctor) Bill Frist (R-TN) spoke about NOTA reauthorization, Medicare problems, and health insurance reform. The discussion was lively and generated many questions from the floor. Two concurrent sessions followed, one on educating the younger generation about organ donation; the other on health practices for organ recipients. Then, following a late afternoon chapter development/membership workshops (arranged by Kim Brown, Ken Lifton, and Kenna Sullivan), TRIO New England hosted a "Taste of Boston" cocktail buffet.
Friday morning featured Dr. Moritsugu, who first conducted a session, as facilitator, on the membership's perceptions of the directions TRIO as an organization should take. Ken (a donor family member) then moderated a session entitled "Beyond Donation: The Importance of Donor Families." The panelists, who were met with a standing ovation at the session's conclusion, included donor father Reginald Green (whose young son was killed by bandits in Italy) and donor mother Barbara Musto (representing the NKF Donor Family Council). On Friday afternoon, Judy Braslow, Director of the Division of Organ Transplantation, addressed the group on "Governmental Perspectives on Donation and Transplantation." Two concurrent sessions followed, one on donor awareness programs and the other on new development in pharmaceuticals.
On Saturday morning there was a panel discussion entitled "Recipient and Family Issues In Transplantation", moderated by Bill Lawrence. Bill is Director of Patient Affairs for UNOS and a liver recipient, the only organ recipient at the management level in UNOS. He has a strong legislative background and advises his employer on legislative matters as well.
The panel discussion was followed by a real surprise: a 1 1/2 hour address by Dr. Paul Pearsall, a clinical psychologist and an expert on interactions between the brain, mind, body, and immune systems. Dr. Pearsall's research focus is on the healing power of the family and the role of balance in maintaining good physical and mental health. An international lecturer and consultant, Dr. Pearsall has a striking presentation, with elements of drama and mysticism unusual in someone so credentialed. His address was a fitting climax to the official program.
Saturday afternoon was devoted to the TRIO annual business meeting, at which the results of director elections were announced, the yearly budget was distributed and discussed, and committee reports were presented. Members of the Nation's Capital Area Chapter elected to TRIO's board of directors: Ken Lifton (also President of the Chapter Council); Linda Cheatham (Treasurer of both the parent and our Chapter), and Les Lamm.
The conference closed with a reception and dinner dance Saturday night, including the always moving Tree of Life ceremony.
In addition to Dr. Jimmy Light, Dr. Clive Callender, Dr. William Ritchie and others, TRIO members (and kidney transplant recipients) Christine Wilson, Clarence Hill and Christine's sister, Marguerite Boyd, spoke before the Council supporting the amendment.
The Festival is held in "old town Fairfax." The booth will be at the intersection of University and Armstrong, near some food vendors and carnival rides. The Festival is fun for the whole family, although its main focus is the sale of arts and crafts -- get an early start on holiday gifts! Please call Linda at 703-256-2993 to volunteer; her answering machine is always ready to take a message.
The Commission also had a booth at the Fairfax County Fair in June. Daryl and Linda Hollis and Don and Maria Seeley were among the volunteers (and TRIO members) who staffed it. They got dozens of people to sign donor cards. Please help spread the message about Organ & Tissue Donation -- Share Your Life -- Share Your Decision.
Robert DeKraft, lung, Fairfax Hospital, 1994
Kim Brown, kidney, Georgetown University Medical Center, 1984; 1994
Jack Gillespie, heart, Johns Hopkins, 1985
Charles Martin, heart, Washington Hospital Center, 1988
Irving Birmingham, Kidney, Washington Hospital Center, 1991
Mary Ellen Heibel, kidney, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, 1994
If we missed your anniversary or to be sure we have your anniversary, please contact Claude Brady at 703-534-7029.
The Nation's Capital Area Chapter
Transplant
Recipients International Organization
P.O. Box 7633, Arlington, VA
22207
(703) 920-TRIO